Edge lit sign incorporating a mirror

Abstract

A very thin edge lit sign is described using a mirrored acrylic sheet or similar material. The mirrored side is engraved to create an Image and the reverse side is painted any color desired to provide illumination in the engraved areas. A bright white LED light strip is enclosed in a piece of trim attached to the top and bottom of the sign. The resulting sign can have vivid multicolor illumination and is thin enough to be magnet mounted to the side of a vehicle.

1 . An edge lit sign consisting of a sheet of light transmitting material in which the front face has a silver mirror coating covered by paint, or vinyl film, such that the reflective side of the sheet faces away from the viewer and an image or text is created on the non reflective side of the sheet by engraving away portions of that mirror and paint coating, leaving only the light transmitting sheet and areas on the back of the sheet of light transmitting material directly opposite and extending slightly beyond the engraved regions on the front face are painted. 
     
     
         2 . An edge lit sign consisting of a sheet of light transmitting material in which the front face of the sheet is covered by vinyl or mylar film which is silver mirrored on the back. The vinyl or mylar film has areas cut out of it so as to create an image or text and areas on the back of the sheet of light transmitting material directly opposite and extending slightly beyond the cutout regions of the vinyl or mylar are painted. 
     
     
         3 . The sign of  claim 1  or  2  in which the light transmitting sheet of is illuminated by light emitting diodes shining into the edge of the sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The sign of  claim 1  or  2  in which the back side of the light transmitting sheet is also covered with a silver mirrored vinyl or mylar film. 
     
     
         5 . The sign of  claim 1  or  2  in which the light transmitting sheet is illuminated by a strip consisting of SMD light emitting diodes attached to a ribbon circuit board and enclosed in light blocking trim attached to the edge of the sign. 
     
     
         6 . The sign of  claim 1  or  2  in which the light transmitting sheet is illuminated by a strip consisting of SMD light emitting diodes attached to a ribbon circuit board and enclosed in a waterproof transparent plastic tube which is enclosed in light blocking trim attached to the edge of the sign. 
     
     
         7 . The sign of  claim 1  or  2  in which a neodymium magnet and galvanized steel plate is attached to the back of the sign for mounting purposes.